A Flyover Blog

Book Review: Fairy Foals

You know, I don't do book reviews very often. I'm inundated with requests but honestly, if I read everything publishers offer to send, I'd never get a thing done. Every now and then I make an exception. Last week, Kerry Hutton with Sourcebooks contacted me about a new Children's Literature title.

Originally published in Australia, Fairy Foals just made its debut in U.S. bookstores. This is the story of a 40 year old woman who inherits a run down house and discovers something magical living in the garden. Kids will love the beautiful illustrations but, make no mistake, adults are going to love this book, too. Suzanah has written and illustrated a mesmerizing tale that will appeal to artists, gardeners, horse lovers and fairy fans, too. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to her enchanted garden and I look forward to her future discoveries. Hopefully, this will become a series.

Visit the official Fairy Foals site to see some of the gorgeous illustrations in this book and learn more about the author. Fairy Foals is a treat. Don't miss it.

Expelled Feedback

Yesterday I wrote a post about Ben Stein's upcoming movie, Expelled, thinking it would get a few yawns from my readers. Nope. This morning, I received a very long, detailed and impassioned response that I can only describe as a rebuttal of the very premise of this movie from someone who identified him/herself as Benjamin Franklin. There was no URL on the comment, so I don't know anything about the author, but I did send him/her a thank you note. (Remember, manners do count.) If Ben Stein wanted to start a conversation, he succeeded on this little blog. Read "Benjamin's" comment on the post below.

UPDATE: My email thank you note came back a few minutes ago marked "undelivered, bad file number." Curious.

Have You Heard About This?

I saw an ad today in my Hollywood Jesus newsletter for Ben Stein's new project. It's a movie called Expelled and it appears to be causing quite a stir. In it, Ben takes on the Scientific Community, the Theory of Evolution and intollerance for Creationists.  Ben and company are advertising Expelled extensively, with the intent of sparking a national conversation. Click here to explore the project's resource page. You will find free stuff for churches, students and leaders, as well as the movie's trailer and promotional materials you can download. Expelled opens in theaters nationwide April 18, but the buzz is already growing. Check it out.

Originality

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
-C.S. Lewis

Christmas Started Early

A box arrived the other day; we get lots of boxes at our house so I didn't think anything of it. Mitch took it to his office, opened it, then quickly appeared again with a big grin. Many of you will remember he collects and makes custom 12" action figures. Well, he found a custom piece for me. It was going to be a Christmas gift, but he was so excited about it he couldn't wait. I am a big sci-fi fan and one of my favorite series is Dr. Who. My all-time favorite doctor is #9 played by Christopher Eccleston. I do like the current doctor, David Tennant, but he's a bit over-the-top for me. In case you're not familiar with the series, this is Eccleston (pictured above) with his time-traveling companion, Rose, played by Billy Piper.

Here's a close shot of the figure - the head sculpt is custom, as are all the clothes. It came with a phone booth which is very cool, but Mitch is looking for an exact replica from the series to scale. I've gotta tell you this is the finest head sculpt I've ever seen; the artist did a fantastic job. So now, if you come to my house, I can show you my very own action figure collection... I have exactly 2 figures now. Thank you, Mitch!

WKRP Turkey Drop - Part 2

Here's the priceless finish to the WKRP clip I posted yesterday. Enjoy! And hey, if you haven't found time this week to clean the grout or bathe the dog, let it slide. Just enjoy the day.

My Favorite Thanksgiving TV Moment

It's Tuesday. I'm guessing you're already stressed beyond belief wondering 1) where you're going to put everyone, and 2) how you're going to get all that food cooked by Thursday. If you're not stressed, Congratulations! How's about sharing your secret with the rest of us? My holiday stress-buster is humor, lots and lots of it. So, here's a clip from WKRP in Cincinnati, featuring my favorite Thanksgiving TV episode of all time. Tune in tomorrow for another clip.

I Love You More

Okay, moms and grandmas, gather round. I just read the sweetest book for kids I've seen in a long, long time. I Love You More, by Laura Duksta is an absolutely delightful picturebook about love expressed between a mother and child. Cool feature: the text flips to be read both ways. This is one of those "read it to me again" books that kids will cherish. It is a "must have" for bedtime and a great comfort in a turbulent world.

I Love You More was written by Laura Duksta (who has an amazing story of her own) and is beautifully illustrated by her good friend, Karen Keesler. The author isn't peddling some masked agenda here; there is no hidden meaning, no PC message. This book expresses only one thought - You are loved - and in today's world, that's the most important message of all.

Publishers often send me books for review; most never make it to this blog because, frankly, I'm not that fond of them. But this little book is a gem. It has found a home on my bookshelf. You can purchase I Love You More in major book retailers nationwide, or on Amazon. You're gonna love it.

Thursday Thirteen - Week 40

This week I decided to share my favorite female vocalists of all time.  Hope some of these women are on your list. Thanks to Samulli for this week's header - as usual, another winner!

 

1. Gwen Stephani - I think this is who Madona intended to be.

2. Ella Fitzgerald - fabulous! 

3. Julie Andrews - This is who I wanted to sound like when I was small.

 

4. Then I wanted to sing like Karen Carpenter. Soon I realized I was not going to be a great singer.

5. Diana Krall - voice like liquid smoke

6. Ann Wilson - amazing. My #1 pick for Rock Vocalist.

7. Annie Lennox - my other favorite rocker

8. Aretha Franklin - instantly changes my mood!

9. I loved Cindy Lauper years ago. I like her new work even more.

10. Judy Garland - I really miss her...

11. Sarah McLachlan - switching gears here. Her voice is haunting.

 

12. Gets my vote for best all-around vocalist working today.

13. At the very top of my list is Rosemary Clooney. An original... never gonna be another.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Have You Heard This Guy?

Sweet Cousin Addie told me about this beatboxing flute player named Greg Patillo. The guy is AMAZING. I chose his clip of Peter and the Wolf to share with you today. Enjoy!

Beatboxing Flute

Click the link above to view the You Tube video. I've received many reports that this blog is loading s-l-o-w-l-y since I began adding clips, so I'm replacing many of them (in my archived posts) with links to the originals instead.